Africa-Press – Angola. Angola’s extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, Júlio Maiato, reiterated the Executive’s commitment to the energy transition process.
The Angolan diplomat was speaking on the occasion of the “15th Renewables Talk”, promoted by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi, as part of the celebration of the institution’s 15th anniversary and the first year of International Clean Energy Day , which was celebrated last Friday, January 26th.
Júlio Maiato highlighted that Angola’s accession as a Member State of IRENA has facilitated international cooperation, exchange of experiences and technical support for countries.
Regarding Angola’s commitment to the energy transition process, the ambassador said that more than 62% of the country’s energy production comes from renewable sources, that is, hydro and photovoltaic (solar) and that the two combinations now have considerable weight. in the capacity to produce clean energy.
According to the diplomat, the country’s goal is to reach 71% of clean energy by 2027, foreseen in the Development Plan for the Electricity sector, and Angola is counting on the Caculo Cabaça Hydroelectric Plant, which will generate 2,100 megawatts (MW) and several projects of solar energy.
Regarding cooperation with African countries, Júlio Maiato stressed that, as part of the acceleration of the adoption of clean energy, in March 2023 the Central African Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Center was inaugurated in Angola, which includes 11 nations, with the objective of supporting the initiatives of young entrepreneurs in the context of renewable energy, as well as helping States to increase the rate of electrification.
With regard to the energy transition in Africa, the Angolan ambassador said that the biggest constraint in implementation is related to the financial factor.
Considering the low level of electrification in many African countries, the head of the Angolan mission in the UAE said that IRENA’s actions over the next 15 years should focus on special attention on Africa and more initiatives such as “the Accelerated Partnership for Renewable in Africa” (APRA), and conditions must be created, with the involvement of various actors.
During the meeting, opened by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change of the United Arab Emirates, Mirian Almheiri, the director general of IRENA, Francesco La Camera, spoke, who reviewed the organization’s actions since its creation and highlighted the achievements and future challenges, meeting the commitment of the triple production of energy from clean sources, the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, and the designated president for COP28, Sultan Al Jaber.
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